Looking to upgrade your travel gear, plan your next hiking trip, or book an unforgettable getaway? These are the trusted tools, platforms, and products I personally use and recommend—whether I’m heading out for a backcountry adventure or planning a longer international trip.
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✈️ Booking & Travel Essentials
Expedia and SkyScanner – My go-to tools for finding the cheapest flights and comparing flexible dates. I always start my search with one of these. Expedia is great for browsing flight deals and vacation packages, while I love Skyscanner for booking flexible flights—you can even search by entire month.
Booking.com – Great for hotels and last-minute deals, especially with free cancellation. I find this especially helpful when I’m planning a trip without a concrete itinerary. They also have a great loyalty program where you unlock different tiers of ‘Genius’ membership, which comes with rewards like discounted rates, free upgrades, and complimentary breakfasts.
Kayak – While Kayak is a one-stop shop for flights, hotels, and cars, I find it especially helpful for comparing rental car prices and availability across different providers. It’s easy to use, and I always seem to find the cheapest rates here.
VRBO – Vacation rentals are a great option for larger groups or when you need a bit more space. I usually go this route for longer stays when I want access to a kitchen instead of eating out every day. While Airbnb is a great option, I prefer VRBO—you’ll often find the same properties listed, but the fees are usually a bit lower.
Viator – The best platform for booking tours, skip-the-line tickets, and travel experiences in advance—which I highly recommend if you have a set itinerary. This is especially helpful when visiting busy cities and popular attractions, where tickets can sell out and queues can be long. Plus, many of the tours include transportation, making logistics much easier.
SafetyWing – Affordable travel and health insurance, particularly great for longer trips or digital nomad-style travel. I used it during my 5-month South America trip, and it was a low-cost solution that gave me great peace of mind.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) – An easy way to hold and transfer money across currencies with low fees—much cheaper than a traditional bank transfer. I found it especially helpful when moving abroad. You can even open a Wise bank account in a foreign currency.
Surfshark or NordVPN – A VPN is essential for safe browsing on public Wi-Fi, accessing location-specific content, and protecting your data while abroad. It’s especially helpful if you’re planning to work remotely from your laptop while travelling. I’ve used both and recommend either.
🥾 Outdoor Gear & Hiking Tools
AllTrails+ – I use AllTrails to find and track hikes and trail runs everywhere I go. The paid version is totally worth it for offline access and custom route planning.
REI, MEC & GearTrade – My top sources for quality hiking and camping gear. REI is my go-to in the US, while MEC is my favourite outdoor gear store in Canada. GearTrade is another great option if you’re based in Canada—it’s a local online business that sells high-quality outdoor gear, including their own brand at affordable prices.
Amazon – Surprisingly good for affordable hiking gear, especially basics like dry bags, power banks, camp kitchen essentials, and backpacking tools. Most of the budget-brand gear I’ve bought on Amazon has been just as good (if not better) than many big-name brands—at a fraction of the price. Plus, with next-day delivery, it’s a super practical option for last-minute trips.
Lululemon – Although it’s best known for yoga and running gear, I actually wear a lot of Lululemon clothing for hiking too. They now offer a dedicated hiking range, but I often use their running shorts, leggings, and shirts on the trail—they’re lightweight, quick-drying, comfortable, and durable. Also great for active travel days.
🎒 My Favourite Travel & Hiking Gear
Over the years, I’ve found a few key items that make both travel days and outdoor adventures way smoother. Below are some of my favourites—some are staples for international trips, while others always come with me on hiking and backcountry camping adventures.
Travel Gear
- Packing cubes – A must for staying organized
- Digital suitcase scale – So you can avoid overweight luggage fees!
- lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag – Practical, secure, and stylish (I take it everywhere!)
- Foldable backpack – Perfect for extra hand luggage, day hikes, or carrying essentials
- Carabiners – Always handy for attaching gear or water bottles
- Universal travel adapter with multi-port charger – To charge multiple devices at once
- Large scarf or pashmina – Keeps you warm and doubles as a travel blanket
- Birkenstock Arizona EVA sandals – Lightweight, comfy, and waterproof
Hiking & Outdoor Gear
- Katadyn BeFree water filter – My go-to, and it doubles as an extra water bottle
- Ultralight tent – My favourite is the MSR Hubba Hubba
- Garmin InReach Mini – For remote safety and messaging
- Lightweight puffer jacket – I recommend the RAB Microlite Alpine Jacket
- Ultralight waterproof jacket – I love the Patagonia Houdini and RAB Downpour Jacket
- Collapsible camp kitchen set – the Sea to Summit range is my go-to
- Titanium pot – Super lightweight and heats up fast (ideal for ultralight backpacking)
- Long spork – Perfect for eating freeze-dried meals straight from the packet
- Headlamp – An essential for every hiker and camper
- Electrical or duct tape – I always pack a small roll for quick gear fixes
- Nalgene 1.5L water bottle – You’ll appreciate the larger size on the trail
- Paracord – Useful for everything from gear repairs to hanging food
- Ziploc bags & dry bags – Keep food, clothes, and gear dry and organized
- Ultralight sleeping pad – I currently use the Nemo Tensor All-Season pad
- Packable Camp pillow – I love the REDCAMP and TETON Sports pillows—they feel like real pillows
- Power bank – Essential for keeping devices charged on multi-day hikes
- Ultralight Camping Chair – Carrying the extra weight is totally worth it for the comfort at camp!
Final Note
These are the tools and items I rely on for most of my trips—whether it’s a backcountry canoe route in Ontario or a month-long international adventure. I’ll continue updating this list as I come across more products that I love and use regularly.
And if you shop through one of these links—thank you! It helps support my blog and allows me to keep sharing free travel tips and hiking guides here on Chasing Chanelle.
